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Exhibit shows the arts festival through the years

June 6, 2011

Exhibit shows the arts festival through the years

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has been an important part of summer since 1967 in State College. A new exhibit relives many fond memories in "The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts: Through the Years," on display June 4 through July 17, in the Diversity Studies Room, 203 Pattee Library on Penn State's University Park campus.

What began as a sidewalk sale along College Avenue, where artists displayed their work on a snow fence and aspiring art students sold the contents of their portfolios among other collectibles, has grown into a nationally recognized festival that attracts 125,000 attendees each year.

Originally conceived as a cooperative effort between town and gown (the community and university) to generate interest in the arts comparable to that of football games, the festival includes music, poetry and drama; a juried sidewalk sale and exhibition of art; and numerous other events and competitions. It also has become a summertime reunion with former classmates and friends.

The exhibit looks back at the festival through snapshots, collectible posters and programs that reveal its history and growth. Materials are from the Penn State University Archives, a unit in The Eberly Family Special Collections Library, located in 104 Paterno Library. Visit www.libraries.psu.edu for more information and www.arts-festival.com for details about this year’s festival, July 13–17.

Exhibit hours follow the standard library schedule recorded at 814-865-3063.